TA constantly teaching - teacher away

[StarUtopia]

How long is this acceptable for? She's a fab TA but she is not a qualified teacher. Would you be happy with this? I imagine it's to save cost on getting in a supply teacher with budgets the way that they are.

Thanks all. I have made an appointment to see the Head next week. But I shall go in very nicely, not all guns blazing!

"School budget cuts are to blame as schools can't afford supply costs. " true but after two weeks the insurance kicks in and pays for cover so the school could be making money from this situation

Insurance usually kicks in on the third day but it only covers around 60% of the cost, so when people are off long term it does cost the school. Having someone cover the class who is cheaper than the substantive teacher obviously saves the school money.

Our insurance covers full wage but not until absent two weeks

3rd day here too.

Seven weeks minus three days is a tidy sum to pocket even if the insurance doesn't pay the full supply teacher rate

It's not good is it? I understand how and why it happens. It's not easy to get supply of good quality, it's expensive and some illnesses you think someone is coming back and they keep getting signed off again.

I don't think complaining will change anything as the head and governors will be doing what they think is best especially if they are complying with employment law.
I do think it's a very sad state of affairs that TAs are teaching like this.

Out of interest, ow do you know so much about this TAs qualifications? Because I am a TA and, the only people at school who know my O level grades, would be those with access to my personnel file, so ht. Parents certainly don't know. Whilst I am employed as a TA, I do have HLTA status - I completed the preparation and assessment just before the Tories cut all the funding for it. I am sometimes asked to take classes to cover for teacher sickness and I'm happy to do so. I wouldn't be asked to cover for seven weeks though. And I wouldn't want to.

If you'ra teacher, even if you haven't been in the classroom for a few years, you must be aware of the recruitment and retention crisis. In conjunction with budget cuts, low morale, capability, the need to save money, it's not surprising that Heads would prefer a competent TA who knows the children, to take the class, rather than expensive and possibly less effective supply.

No one is saying it's right, but it is the reality these days. I think we are getting to the tipping point, where the whole edifice crumbles.,